Aurelia W. Lau and Dr. Alan K. Parrish, Religion
Approach
Dr. Widtsoe encouraged many women throughout his life to obtain the benefits of higher education. His love for higher education was gained through his years as a student at Harvard, professor of chemistry at Utah State University, and serving as president of both Utah State University and the University of Utah. His vast experience also included his involvement with the informal architect of Brigham Young University as a member of the Board of Trustees and Executive Committee from 1921 to 1952. All of this indicates to me that Dr. Widtsoe is profoundly qualified to be an authoritative voice on this topic. This is significant because higher education for women hardly existed in the nineteenth century. In fact, it wasn’t until the 1970s that prestigious educational institutions began to integrate women into their classes.
Methods
With the assistance of Brother Parrish, I will use the Widtsoe materials in the files at Utah State University, the University of Utah, the Historical Division of the Church, and the Utah State Historical Society. From his public addresses, personal correspondence, and published articles, I will gather information showing his pioneer opinions regarding higher education for women and document the work he did to bring this about.
Expected Results
I have high expectations of this project, many of which include publication. Such as the following: to include this paper as a possible chapter in Brother Parrish’s forthcoming biography of John A. Widtsoe, to prepare an article for the Brigham Young University Studies, to use this paper as a possible thesis topic in fulfilling the honors graduation requirement, to submit to the Ensign magazine for publication, and also submit to the Utah Historical Quarterly for publication. Research is still in progress and will most likely continue into my junior and senior years.